1001 Albums Summary

Walked around Edgewood while listening. Not as good as I'd hoped and bummed by the language and misogyny. But could have been worse.

quiet--Sean had one of his albums. Didn't really grab me but good music to fall asleep to.

loved it, esp Ye Ye De Smell. What a treat!

enjoyed this blast from my childhood--remember checking it out. Still, not a great album. I think even then I was a little disappointed by it.

very nostalgic! So much fun and great to hear The Lip again, especially. Good walking music too!

Enjoyed listening to this as I walked around Edgewood on MLK Jr Day. Quite nice! I have this on cassette I think. Maybe a CD too. Aged a lot better than Snoop Dogg but a better album to start with too.

reminded me of an early Groove Armada but perhaps they are contemporary. Not bad but not my thing either

not too interesting musically. I suppose a fresh voice but could have been more interesting.

not my favorite album of his, but it's still a pretty good album!

ok, typical male lead singer voice of the late 90s early 2ks, some nice incorporation of electronic music though

good music for a hip brunch

prefer shoot out the lights but still pretty good

better than I thought it would be. some good guitar playing

great album which had some Doors-like moments. Amazing sax solo too. Really fun

Cowboy Junkies are rehearsing but their female singer doesn't show up, so they decide to go hang with Jesus and Mary Chain but get waylaid by Luna. Probably as good as the best of these, maybe better. Still, a little too much fade, though the first few songs got off to a good start.

I wanted this to be a little better than it was, but still it was pretty good. Felt like classic American rock, in a sort of Wilco vein, if Wilco had drunk a lot of coffee and taken an enormous shit before playing and so felt lighter and a bit happier, or maybe just more satisfied. I admire their way of teasing a rhythm out of a long string of words, just wish it was all slightly more memorable.

Great tight pop rock--hard to be both lush and tight at the same time--really good. Awful lyrics. Just awful. It doesn't help that I heard "I wanna be adored by you" as "I wanna be your dog." A rare album that would have been better, nearly, as an instrumental.

got off to a great start but I need to finish listening to it!

This was a new to me album/artist (there are so many dudes with names like his they all kind of blend together in my mind--the best of them did that song that's in Old School that goes "to be young is to to be high" but I don't think it's this guy). And it got off to a good start, I was getting into it and then, midway through Nobody Girl, I realized Ryan Adams is a complete asshole. No question. And yet the last 3 minutes of that song are blister! Never before have I liked an album so much when it's so clear the artist is a complete asshole. Kudos to you, Ryan Adams!

enjoyed this quite a bit, with the exception of the first song. good trance dance with a bit of the 80's spin me right round in there

fun, bluesy, well done. probably should listen to it again. Nice!

omg I hated this so much, I'm sorry. I did listen to \"Paper Planes\" after (which I heard before but didn't realize it was her, and I do like that song), but this album felt like a teenage girl making songs in her room which were about as good as the songs I'd make in my room when I was a kid. Seriously, the cantankerous bitch in me feels she got an easy pass on that album because she's a minority and female and it was a sort of \"fresh voice\" kind of thing--I dunno. Not impressed.

odd mix of a lot of 60s trends, kind of wandered through the early Beatles up to a few sort of Mama and Papa harmonies and then some wanky Doors keyboards and I never did figure out the language of most of the lyrics. I got the French and a few English lines, but is this Portuguese? Don't know; don't care; still a fun, if weird--dare I say mutant?--listen.

Quite nice. Not my favorite of theirs (looking at you "almost cut my hair") but still good

mellow but with an edge. prefer this sort of style to Nick Drake, if that's even a compare. not sure I need to hear any more though

she shines brightest on Do Re Mi and You Don't Own Me. Otherwise, as a debut album, I think she's still a work in progress (I miss you Preacher Man!)

Must be an early album because it's not all that great. There are some wonderful moments where you can see what could be--thinking of the language in the first song about the dirty ground and the cute song about being friends (did I hear that in Napoleon Dynamite?) as well as a few other flashes of genius. Outside of those moments, it felt as if they were still trying on genres, riffs, playing with volume, borrowing sounds--none of this bad, just not yet a coherent unique sound. At times the plodding rhymes matched the plodding drums to form a sort of unfortunate march.

Loved this, especially all the samples or just references to other songs (i.e. the way that guy said "leavin'" a few times and you knew he was thinking of "Leaving on a Jet Plane", and am I right in that at some point they referenced Lou Brock?) Very cool. I really enjoyed this.

Great blues, just not quite as soulful as my taste--reminds me of Robert Cray Band: really proficient with a slightly faster and smoother sound than I like in my blues (or rock).

Really liked this. So much fun! A little bit all over the place but still rocking where it needed to be.

I hadn't heard this before but did recognize a few songs. She's a great songwriter, and the music was tight. What kept tripping me up was her voice--she sounded like she was straining a lot to stay within her range and this ended up limiting the songs and the music. Maybe she needs a vocal coach or maybe she's like Dylan in that some of her songs would be best performed by someone who has a better range.

Classic album with one side of greatness and the other side of not as great. Nice to hear the distinctive early Beatles sound again!

part of me wants to give this 5 stars because I believe they achieved their intention with this album: it's well executed, coherent, and consistent. The other part of me wants to give it 0 stars because I so much do not care for this type of music. I have no idea why anyone would listen to it. I can't imagine dancing to it and I don't think it's interesting enough to listen to on its own, and it's not ambient enough to be background. I'll cop out and give it a 3.

This was much less interesting than I wanted it to be. I didn't follow the rock opera as closely as perhaps I should have, and the songs on the second side seemed lame. I'm sorry, Rush-ians.

Wow, I enjoyed this WAY more than I thought I would. Maybe it's because I've had prog rock for the past two albums. Definitely dated and definitely a lot of fun. This is an album you play when you're really fucked up and can't find your Deep Purple. Is it me or was there a Talking Heads Psycho Killer vibe to "I won't let it 'appen again"? Chef's kiss to the bangs on shirtless dude on the cover.

This really pissed me off. I'm tired of 1001 albums recommending a crappy first album when there are terrific later albums. Yet here we are. In Frank, Ms. Winehouse has yet to find her groove though there are glimmers of greatness, especially in the side B songs, such as "What is it about men." Her songwriting skills are as immature as her singing, but she will eventually (though not here) get there. The music is equally underwhelming; I can practically feel the musicians wanting to bust out of their sad little cage.

This is why I'm doing this project. Loved it and I never would have thought I'd love a Waylon Jennings album. Fantastic in every respect.

"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is amazing, and there are some other good songs. "Run Charlie Run" is pretty hard to listen to. Torn on whether this is a 3 or a 4 by virtue of "Rolling Stone"

I'm afraid this one was lost on me. I didn't actively hate it though.

Reminded me a little of Nina Simone. Haunting but not my vibe.

enjoyed this expertly subdued jazz. For me, no particular standout song, I just liked how the entire album felt like a bunch of great musicians were chilling, having a mellow time.

Album got off to a fun groove but then the soul vibe sort of thinned out, redeemed slightly by a nice cover of "Heaven" only to get destroyed by this horrible song Jericho. Now on the second side and I feel as if every song sounds like it was part of a Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, though I do recognize the "holding on" song. "Red Box" approaches "Jericho" in awfulness in terms of lyrics, which is too bad because they can groove.

As much as I appreciate her style and substance, I'm just not a big fan of her music. I wouldn't turn it off, but I'm not sure how much I'd turn it on either.

I'm giving this a 4 because I appreciate the attempt, and it made me laugh, and it didn't last all that long. Also because I suspect if I were on acid it might have blown my mind.

I'm not a Steely Dan fan yet somehow I recognized nearly every song on this album, so I've got to give them credit for sneaking their way into the vernacular.

Amazing album which still sounds fresh, though I'll admit to never really liking "Black Angel's Death Song" all that much. But every other song is stellar and the guitars, the way it was recorded, and Nico's voice add so much texture and dimension--just superlative.

I enjoyed her lyrics more than I enjoyed the music or her voice--not that there was anything really wrong with those, but they didn't stand out as much as her lyrics where are really good. I'm not sure I would listen to this again, and no one song really stood out to me, though I have to give her credit for writing a song about Jacob Marley.

Aged much better than I expected!

What a strong debut! The music is terrific throughout; loved the drums on the first two songs especially and the layered sound in Venus as a Boy. Only weakness to me is her singing style and, at times, her voice (esp in Like Someone in Love)--I love the power of her voice just wish sometimes she worked more with the flow of the music rather than against it, and occasionally she doesn't hit her note.

shine on you crazy diamond indeed.

The French have an expression "belle laide" which refers to a woman who is both beautiful and ugly and this is how I feel about her singing. I have no idea why this album is on this list. I bet Lenny Bruce would have laughed his ass off if he'd heard that eulogy.

Instant party. God bless you.

This just isn't my cup of tea, or cup of Cuban coffee. I remember it made a huge impact when it came out!

Probably my most listened-to Dylan album despite it having Rainy Day Woman, a song I'm happy to never hear again. But that's not Dylan's fault! With songs like Visions of Joanna, Sad-Eyed Lady, Sooner or Later, I Want You, and Stuck Inside of Mobile, it's easy to see why Dylan got a Nobel Prize. I'm giving this one a 5 due to the greatness of the great songs, though it does have a few weak spots.

Wow, this was a treat. I can't believe this was my first listen. I'm sorry, Pretty Things, that you were so ahead of your time. I wonder how much they influenced the Beatles? or maybe vice versa. Regardless, I really enjoyed it.

Though I got this album over a year ago, apparently I forgot to rate it. Well, it's pretty good--I'd listen on the radio: dramatic, sort of fuzzy rock, but nothing is too memorable other than their clear passion for their sound.

Really enjoyed this and not just because my 6th grade science teacher, Phil Everly, was their cousin. Their version of Love Hurts is esp great, though nothing can rival the Parsons / Harris version. I also like Lucille a lot--perhaps a tip of the hat to Pretty Woman?--not sure of the chronology. Only the first song and the album titled seemed dated to me.

One of reasons I'm enjoying this project is to learn, finally, who sang that song I hated. Also, now I realize the source of that male lead singer sound I associate with the 90s--this dude. Along with the singer in Weezer. They should be put in an arena and whine to the death. I am grateful that the lyrics to "Smash" did not include the line I heard as "I'm not a tranny asshole, I don't give a fuck." And I did actually enjoy the song "Gotta Get Away," and hearing the other songs I recognized was sort of fun.

Nice recording with good musicians but I just never got that into it

I'm sorry. I can't. Don't hate me.

better than I thought it would be. some good guitar.

A lot going on--I like Kind of Blue more.

What a privilege to hear this record. I don't know Spanish so quite a bit flew over my head but the music is fantastic and I love the little nods to different genres, e.g. the bit of disco in the first song, and later the West Side Story nod, as well as the big band bits. These guys are large and in charge!

probably one of my most-listened to albums of all time.

enjoyed but wasn't blown away by this

I did not enjoy this as much as I did "Aja." None of the songs seemed as good to me as the best on Aja, and I didn't get into the backup chorus sound.

Got off to a great start with lots of references to the amazing It Takes a Nation of Millions... but then it didn't deliver much beyond a reworking of their earlier stuff. I enjoyed it but it's not great the way A Nation of Millions is.

I'd kind of forgotten about the Isley Brothers until I heard this--so much fun. I love the guitars and the extended version of Summer Breeze.

I've always loved Deceptacon but never listened to this album before. Lots of fun energy and smart lyrics make it entertaining though overall it feels a little more Hot Topic than hot music.

I didn't have much of a reaction to this--I was working as I listened to it and it was pleasant and unobtrusive and there were only a few minutes where I stopped to listen again or to start over--so not much of an impact on me.

I kept expecting them to break into the theme song from "Friends"

I remember checking this album out from the public library when I was a kid and even then I was a little disappointed by it

Enjoyed this so much more than I expected to. Fun shades of early rock and blues, only regret is the "singing dolphin" style of the voices.

listened to the whole album but it never interested me

never listened to Air before and enjoyed the vibe. I think this would be a great album to listen to while driving at night.

I thought this would be a lot better. I mean, I thought I probably wouldn't like it but I had no idea it would be this bad.

I enjoyed it but it didn't grab my attention too often. If it came on the radio, I would have listened to it, wondered who it was, thought fondly of it, and then probably never listened again.

Wow that was a thing. And it could have been worse. It could have been longer. And, actually, worse.

Enjoyed this more than I thought I would, but I wish her voice had a little more flexibility.

great voice wish she had better taste

not exactly to my taste but solid album. I owned this in the early 90s during a period where I owned only a boom box and a few cassettes and this was one of them so I listened to it a lot more than I would have otherwise.

it was fine; none of Radiohead so far has ever gotten my attention. I didn't like the way they recorded it (or maybe it's my headphones?)--sounded deliberately hissy and fuzzy to me.

occasionally it was better than I expected

got off to a rough start, esp with the Jungle song but picked up with some nice jazz tones toward the end.

Giving it a 4 mostly on the strength of Get It On which is such a great song. The other songs weren't up to that level but some weren't too bad

I'd never heard of them before. Like a proto-coldplay. I kept hoping they would break into a really good song--they always seemed on the verge but then never quite there.

feel like a location scout reviewing this: not something I would listen to regularly but rather use strategically for atmosphere or in a particular setting.

Love, I can see this becoming one of my car cds where I just listen to it obsessively for a year or two. Much better than I'd thought it would be.

no words

Elvis has this thing where he decides if he just sings things in certain ways they're automatically melodic and they just aren't. Pony St. is an example of this but he does this so much that I wonder if maybe the songs of Elvis I actually do like are accidents. Perhaps I don't really like Elvis, just the few "off" songs that happen to match my taste. This is my first time listening to this album and I read "kinder murder" with a German understanding of "kinder" and I'm a little bummed that the song isn't about killing kids. Now he's on 13th steps and I'm quite happy. This is the Elvis I like, nay, love. Thank you, Elvis! This is hell is pretty funny; Just About Glad and All the Rage are also good.

my ex used to listen to this album and so I've already paid my dues. I'm sure it's fine if only I could remember it....

lots of fun though not too my taste. Guitar's great and I love the bouncy drums.

Never listened to them before and really liked their style and sound. I'll be listening to this one again.

hadn't listened to this album in decades--used to check it out from the library when I was a kid. Enjoyed the whole thing, though, Vincent and American Pie are clearly the best of the bunch.

So disappointed. It's like he channeled Rex Harrison and just talked his way through it.

I don't really even like the Nick Cave songs that I pretend to like and none of them were on this album so what's a girl to do? I'm giving him a 3 because at least it was well-executed.

omg I enjoyed this so much. Lots of fun funk, good guitar, humor in a few lyrics, and always rocking.

I usually listen to the Kink Kronikles which are great but this was a wonderful reminder of what you miss when you listen to a compilation. Great album with the usual mix of highs and low but they stay on theme and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

terrific--liked this album much more than the other white stripes on the list.

Fantastic album that blew my mind the first time and still does. Manic depression is one of my favorite Hendrix songs.

this was fine. Occasionally the lyrics interested me, occasionally the music got my attention, but mostly it sort of ran in the background.

This was more rocking than I expected and I really liked it. I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad that I couldn't understand the lyrics.

this album reminded me of how hard it is to make good pop music

I remember buying this album when it first came out and not liking it all that much. The lead singer's voice is gorgeous but the songs didn't grab me, with the exception of "Rescue."

not my thing

dense, lush, layered, probably missed a lot of the references but this album seems a lot more interesting than the other two albums by them I've heard (The Bends and Hail to the Thief). Worthy of a few more plays!

Enjoyed this--good background music which was both upbeat and occasionally entertainingly distracting. Not at all spacey, which I liked.

the music shines, crackles, pops and Michael's voice is fab if only if only if only the lyrics were stronger. A George Michael / Robyn collab would've been amazing. And is Robyn on this list? WTF?

This was a surprise in that I'm surprised I liked it so much. I figured I'd already heard all the good Neil Young songs, though I now realize that no, I've heard the best Neil Young songs... I felt it was blessed with a hint of Bob Dylan in places...

I only listened to the first 6 songs and none were as fun and pop-y as Take on Me. In fact, they kind of sucked and were a little inane. So I stopped listening. Sorry Aha

Torn on this because I really love the first two songs and the rest of the album seems like a pale imitation. I'm giving it a 4 for those two songs (Bittersweet Symphony and Sonnet). Really wish Velvet Morning has been a remake of Some Velvet Morning....

Few albums summon a vibe, an atmosphere, an era as well as this one does. Too bad Van Morrison seems to be a jerk irl.

I'm not sure it's possible for me to appreciate this album or its impact given that I grew up hearing music like this--it never was fresh in the way it must have been to be an adult and hear music like this for the first time. Still, the swinging piano, sax, vocals, everything are so expertly done in this casual offhand way... genius!

trippy in that the lyrics and music seemed to trip, stumble, and fall along, but in a good way. I'd never hear of this guy nor of the album and at first blush I worried I'd be listening to whales, but the Island label usually comes through. Really enjoyed it, though could have done without the big muff song.

I respect PJ but don't actually enjoy her music that much

Some great songs, especially Stir it up and Stop that train, but I disliked a few other songs so in balance, we've got a 3.

Uneven album but I love the musical range and when he's on, he's on fire! Enjoyed this more than I expected to.

I loved this so much.... and I immediately need to go out and hear live music regularly. I miss living in Chicago!

first few songs soared by but Yesterday When I was Mad caught my ear, as well as Theatre, the next song. After that, the other songs continued bopping along, maybe One in a Million stood out too. In general, not to my taste, and I do wish they would make better use of the backing vocals (Go West felt a little Village People-ish and elsewhere the backing felt a little like a sports chant).

This was never one of my favorite Bowie albums so it's probably been decades since I last heard it, if ever. I liked the funky, muddy Beauty and the Beast and Heroes is awesome, naturally, though sounds a little wheezy. Not much else grabs except for V-2 Schneider, though in general all of side two is fine as ambient music. Entire album feels like a transition for a great artist: new sounds & instruments and sometimes it works and sometimes, well, sometimes you get "Secret Life of Arabia." Have to give it a 4 just for Heroes though.

Until I listened to this album, I didn't realize I knew, and liked, quite a bit of Fatboy Slim! A couple of great dance songs with a few not-as-good beats.

A bunch of wankers wanking. The last tune (and I use this term loosely) was the best of the bunch. Maybe I should have hit the bong before listening.

I was 13 when this album came out and I checked it out from the public library. I liked it well enough to listen to it a few times and then never listened to it again until today (05.14.2024). If Fleetwood Mac came on the radio, sometimes I listened, sometimes not. Whatever. But when I looked at the track listing today, I was blown away by how many great songs are on this album. Nearly every album has a few weaker tracks: here there's Oh Daddy and that's about it. Impressively fun pop.

I hate to say how much I loved this album. Hate because everything I've read or seen about Courtney Love suggests she's a narcissistic bully but what can I do? This isn't about her. So far, this album, Steely Dan's Aja, and the Fela Kuti album are the only "new-to-me" albums from this project that I've listened to multiple times.

Sky Saw got off to a good start until the singing happened... rest of the album was better but never as good as I wanted it to be.

classic country! Great songs, though most of them are covers (I think). There was a moment where I could almost see her in a duet with Buddy Holly but then I woke up.

I like the music more than I liked the songs themselves--their way of singing didn't resonate with me.

I'm sure they have many fans because they seem to write and perform perfectly fine tunes which just don't capture my interest.

His voice was a real detractor for me--I didn't like its thin meandering quality. The music meandered a bit too, too much for me. I'm upgrading this from a 2 to a 3 because I did enjoy the Positively Bob tribute.

This album gave me a huge burst of energy and picked up my mood despite its critical, political content. I love his rhythms and orchestrations and general vibe here though I like his live album with Ginger Baker more.

Robbie Williams was new to me and I'm really impressed with his songwriting, singing, and general vibe. Clever guy who seems to have fought a few demons.

Really consistent album--strong sound and production. I'm impressed with how well I remember these songs given that I didn't particularly like them when they came out. My nostalgia makes me want to give it a 4 but the teenage snob in me says give it a 3.

Only two songs in and I'm resisting the desire to march, march, march away. I just realized I hate industrial music more than I hate zydeco.

I'm not too familiar with Dolly Parton's oeuvre as we say but Nashville is my favorite movie of all time and I actually listen to its soundtrack as if those were "real" songs, meaning I actually enjoy the inanity of lines like "we must be doing something right to last 200 years." So when the title song to this album started I immediately turned to the track list of Nashville to figure out which song was imitating this one, and then as her album progressed and as I kept looking at the Nashville listing, I realized how beautifully they align. I'm listening to The Mystery of the Mystery right now, and well, I think the title speaks for itself. Honestly, I think Nashville's better because it's got two bonus tracks: It don't worry me and I'm easy. I'm sure Dolly has great songs and albums but I don't think this is one of them. Early Morning Breeze is the only standout (which aligns with Bluebird on Nashville, fyi). Tell me that A Better Place to Live is not Keep a-Going.

Between David Byrne and Philip Glass is Brian Eno and this collaboration makes the chain complete. It is true that my 80s anxiety and angst came out with Mea Culpa and I almost had a nervous breakdown but this is part of the trip. Ah, good times... And with some serious funk making the avant garde bits more interesting than indulgent

I need more context. I looked this guy up and he's made hundred of Bollywood-style movies; maybe he invented this genre? That's amazing but I'm not sure why this album / soundtrack? of all the hundreds he's done. The Western sampling in a few songs is cute but, again, not sure how groundbreaking or interesting any of this is.

A little more laid back than Are You Experienced and still terrific. Bold as Love is my favorite track, with Castles in the Sand and Spanish Castle Magic also good.

I listened to this on a plane and maybe it was the ambient noise but this album seemed fine but didn't make much of an impression.

Jonathan Richman's angsty quirky spawn. I like their homespun sound and I think there was a xylophone in there at some point. And, as with Jonathan R., I enjoyed a song or two and then felt happy to move on (though I did listen to the whole thing).

mellow versions of older pop standards. I enjoyed Willie's stylings but wasn't blown away (nor did I think I was intended to be).

Managed to avoid Elton until now, though not for any particular reason other than that the songs I heard never compelled me to listen to more. Is it just me or do he and Cher, at times, sound alike? Never before realized that he's singing Levon and not "leave on." Tiny Dancer has not gotten better with age. I suspect there's an Elton John album I would like because I do like "Rocket Man" but this album is not the one for me.

Lush, layered, symphonic, and what a terrific voice for the lead singer. Never heard this before, so I've missed out. Thought Hoodoo was the weakest link until I heard the "loved for who I am/ missed the opportunity to be a better man." So romantic!

The fuzzy quality to the sound made me question my headphones. I appreciate their consistency more than I do their music, which is solid, just not for me.

love love love I am so unworthy of Muddy Waters.

Not a huge Sinatra fan--he never sounds quite as loose as I think he wants to sound. Still, can't complain--he's working it here. But the orchestra is fabulous. I wish the whole album was just them riffing off these standards. Feels like Sinatra's reigning them in.

Never heard of them before. They couple bouncy pop with quirky background sounds and slightly fuzzy vocals--reminds me of the kind of band only the cool kids knew about. Basement Scene sounds like the Everly Brothers on acid, and what's not to like about that? Elsewhere, they sound like the sadly pissed-off children of Jesus and Mary Chain who wished their parents let them outside to ride bikes like the other kids. Nice sax in Coronado! He Would Have Laughed is a beautiful end to an album that has definitely been a journey--a good one.

Sometimes a little too "concept" heavy (eg Voices of Old People and Old Friends in particular). Bookends the song / theme is beautiful, and throughout they punch up their folksy acoustic sound with bright electric bursts of great pop. Hazy Shade of Winter is so so good, it alone warrants the 5

I wanted to like this so much more than I did--I'm not a big Michael Jackson fan though I love a few of songs, just not the ones on this album (though Man in the Mirror is great)

I bought this soon after stumbling across "Papa Was a Rodeo" and once drove from Seattle to Durham NC listening only to 69 Love Songs. I stopped off at Jimmy's in Chicago for a beer and when I sat down at the bar, the bartender put on a CD before taking my order. It was Vol 1 of 69 Love Songs.

Talented musicians who enjoy crude riffs off traditional Irish folk music. After a song or two, I grew less interested. Grateful this album doesn't have their xmas song about the drunks in lockup.

Just the boost I needed this morning: thick bouncy rocking pop with quirky lyrics--lots of fun packed into 33 minutes. Gigantic was the only song I recognized and what a great song that is. This is an album I'll definitely listen to again. Thank you, Pixies!

off to a great trippy, pop start though I wish the sound wasn't quite as fuzzy. Love the 70s nostalgia in Electric Feel. Worried that the album was taking a dive with the song after Kids but then Pieces of What came on and was happy again. Terrific album: each song feels like a blend of influence and innovation. Only complaint is that the title sounds like it came from Harry Potter.

breezy referential British pop that's not to my taste but is well done

Not my favorite Prince album (I'm I the only one who likes 1999 best?) but I love his guitar. Wish the drums felt a little more natural.

I'm digging the mid-70s vibe to it--surprised this is from 2019! Kiwanuka's voice is rich and heartfelt. Beautiful album.

I enjoyed the mix of styles and languages on this album.

Chain of Fools and Groovin are the standouts here. Never been a fan of Natural Woman.

love this album, smooth laid back soul sound which is a little different from the Diamond Dogs and Ziggy Bowie and still terrific. Young Americans and Fame are especially awesome and Fascination is also great.

I'd never associated the name of this band with "You're Gonna Miss Me"--for some reason I thought the 13th Floor Elevators were a late 80s/early 90s band. So I wasn't all that excited to listen but the minute the first song started, my mood brightened. Rocking greatness! Love the harmonica. And now I'm being led down a mossy acid path into the rest of the album. Quick takes: Quite happy though Roller Coaster isn't as good a ride as "You're Gonna Miss Me." I wish Eric Burdon was singing Splash One instead of the guy who is. Reverberation would be better if they muttered "and dance" each time after they said reverberation. Don't Fall Down is quite earnest and I dig it. Fire Engine brings everything together: rock rhythm, kind of bad vocal effects (is someone trying to imitate a fire engine?), urgent vocals--like if you'd only listen the world would be a much better place, and most importantly, just lots of fun. I want to play it loud and do the frug while some dude sings about taking a trip to an empty place. Through the Rhythm reminds me of an earlier question: what is that sound that sounds like someone is doing the scales up and down with their lips? Is that what that is? Omg it just started again with You Don't Know. What is that sound? I heard it earlier but tried to get it out of my mind. I just looked them up on wikipedia and omfg that sound is, I believe, an ELECTRIC JUG. Nothing says 60s more than an electric jug. Also, I do not like Electric Jug. I do not like it. Onto Kingdom of Heaven--a slow burn which sounds like something they play on the ABC Afterschool Special on the dangers of drugs: heroine puffs pot and next thing you know she's swirling around the stars as the Kingdom of Heaven plays. Monkey Island--This is a little more bluesy omg someone is now making little monkey sounds. What is it with the 60s and monkeys? Monkees, Kinks' Apeman, Planet of the Apes, etc. Tried to Hide reminds me that I do not like Electric Jug. I think their rhythms and guitar work is really outstanding. Downgrading for the jug.

Never been a big Police fan, but they've aged well, or I haven't. I like Message in a Bottle more than I did before, though the rasta sound Sting assumes is unfortunate. And as the album progresses, I realize again that I'm not really a Police fan. Just not that into them. However, I hung in there until Any Other Day came on and then, listening to it, decided life's short and stopped turned the whole thing off.

First time listen. Song #1 is an odd and interesting blend of swirling sixties sounds (think soundtrack to A Man and a Woman) with some nice electric riffs. I wish the singer's voice, the lyrics, and the flute were all a little better. The 2nd song is just stupid in the way that 90s song about being a bitch is kind of stupid. Now it's continuing, so this is how it's gonna be: trite lyrics sung in a girly voice with some great instrumentation. Things pick up with Step On Me but I question my commitment to this sparkle motion. Lovefool's on and, yep, I've heard this one and congrats Cardigans, you just got another star because this is really good.

Wow, seriously great album. Sorry I missed out on Pulp when they first came out--they're terrific. First time new-to-me music reminded me of David Bowie.

Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You, I'll Be Waiting, and the cover of the Cure's Lovesong are terrific. Elswehere I think she oversells it but small complaint. I don't think this album is overproduced but her voice, persona, everything is so huge that I'd love to hear her in an even more laidback role.

I never listened to this album before but I know so many of the songs I'm once again blown away by his Nobel-prize-winning genius. What a gift. So many amazing songs, lines, etc. Before, if I listened to an album of his rather than a compilation, I'd listen to Blonde on Blonde but I think I need to switch to this one for a while--beautiful album and there's no need to skip the overplayed Rainy Day Women on this one.

never one of my favorite Bowie albums but I'm enjoying the jazzy stylings in the title track and the piano throughout the album is great (almost as if he just discovered the piano). Music bounces, rocks, rolls, and drives though Panic in Detroit, Cracked Actor, andthe Let's Spend the Night Together cover though the songs themselves aren't so great. Time is weak but builds to occasional great spots. Jean Genie is the Bowie I know and love.

For about 2 years this was the only album I listened to while driving. It was all I needed.

much better than I expected given the name but I am sorry it's not dandier. I liked the fuzzy sound of the album and thought the first four songs were terrific, and then it just became a little more of the same. torn between a 3 and a 4 on this one.

Their name is accurate and this is unfortunate.

It was probably around 1978 and I was babysitting. I checked out their record collection and I had to choose between this and Bread's "Baby I'm a-want you." So glad I chose Dylan. What a great album. From "A Hard Rain" to "Don't think twice" to "Blowin in the wind" to "Girl from North Country" to "Masters of War"--blows my mind how good a writer he is.

I've never been a fan of them --I listened a bit when their song "Spellbound" was big and they just didn't appeal to me and still don't. When I listen to them, I feel like a woman is yelling at me while a bunch of people mess with instruments.

love this album--I bought it when it first came out and it still sounds great. Their funky rock works throughout and their bass player is amazing, in addition to Keidis (sp?) great vocals.

laid back political album has aged well. Such a cool approach to the Black Power themes, I could listen to this album all day long.... love the drums especially.

The first three or so songs were the best--especially the trumpet solo on Life's a Bitch. Lyrics throughout are really strong complicated raps with the usual explicit language--crazy rhyme schemes! I don't think the music stands up to the raps though and there isn't too much here that sticks with me after it's over. I looked Nas up after it was over and read that he was only 20 when it came out--impressive debut.

First song's the best, some great guitar and instrumentals throughout but most of the songs aren't that interesting or memorable

I'm not sure what it takes to get in the headspace to create and perform this album but whatever it took was worth it. Amazing, gritty, raunchy journey from start to end.

Think I'll pack it in and buy a pickup--great start to a great album. Whenever I hear it, I'm taken back immediately to the apartment where I first heard it. Such nostalgia! No idea what it would sound like to someone hearing it for the first time these days... Still, terrific.

I respect this more than I did when it first came out but I'm still not a fan.

never heard of them before and despite the awful band name and album title, I really enjoyed this! Sort of surreal, sort of ambient, sort of rock adds up to a mellow and interesting album. Easy on the ears without being boring.

Great piano-led jazz trio playing beautifully. Wish I could have been there, though I don't think I have the ears or understanding to fully appreciate it.

for fans of the soundtrack to A Man and A Woman.... the second side that features Jobim is weaker to me. I love Getz sax tone--not that I know anything about that--just sounds distinctly breathy and laid back to me.

unobtrusive for better and for worse.

Wow. This really sucks. Seriously, it's an insult to musicians everywhere. It's not even bad in a good way. It's just stupid. I made it as far as halfway through "Words and Guitar" and than I cracked. I do love the name though; I remember seeing that exit on I-5 around Olympia and doing a double take.

I've always liked Smoke on the Water but if this is our only Deep Purple album, then I wish it had Hush on it, though I suppose that earlier album is worse overall. This was pretty good--also liked Pictures of Home a lot.

in Shell Back is the woman repeating "she's gonna get me like cheese barn"? asking for a friend. The entire album made me feel a little nauseated.

my favorite songs have an element of Velvet Underground to them, a sort of pared down repetitive thrum with Karen O's voice--this works. Most of the time, though, it doesn't really, not for me.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I've probably only listened to this album once before. I think I probably put it on when I was 11 or 12 and didn't care for it as much as the others and so that was that. So listening to it now was like hearing it for the first time, which was a treat. I have to give it 5 stars for the standout songs (Eleanor Rigby, Good Day Sunshine) but as an album it doesn't cohere as well as most of their others.

I liked this more than I thought I would. I thought I would hate it. Giving it 3 because I do like Solsbury Hill.

They sound like they're capable of making good music, just not on this album. The first song was offensive, the rest just not that good, though I appreciate how they can maintain a groove.

love this album. I think Deja Vu might be my favorite album of theirs but this one is still a classic.

this was a lot of fun--a dip into another era of popular music

Enjoyed the smooth stylings though the lyrics generally weren't quite up to the music. Not something I'll listen to again though, just not my thing.

This didn't work for me. The electronic beats were almost nauseating--the music needed to be thicker, or have a fuller sound or something, and I thought the lyrics were often not that interesting. I love the name of the band and the name of the songs, but the repetition / electronic dance aspect was kind of boring to me.

I enjoyed this much more than I expected to. Even the more inane lyrics are delivered with a grinding intensity that works. Caution: Iron Man will get in your head and for the next few hours everything you do will be done to that rhythm.

Apparently, I'm not a big fan of Frank Sinatra.

I can't say I really enjoyed this but I also didn't mind it either. It's sounds like a bunch of Germans went into a hardware store and made some instruments and then started screaming and yelling while playing them. They do sound better than my description--at least they don't have the nauseating repetition of industrial music.

I was really looking forward to listening to this--I knew she was a pioneering rapper in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame--and I definitely enjoyed it. Wasn't quite to my taste due to the language and that's okay. Nice mellow beats and I loved all the collaborations. Standouts for me were "Rain" and "Sock it 2 Me"

This is not a bad album: well executed, a few hit songs (In Your Eyes, Sledgehammer), but it's just not to my taste. I think his music, for me, isn't all that memorable. He is good at creating atmosphere though.

I enjoyed the start but by the time I got to "guilded splinters" I was tired of what felt to me like a little too much affectation. Dr. John is not a voodoo doctor and this entire album would have been much better had he not felt the need to have the persona. IMHO. As you were.

I couldn't understand why this album made the grade so I read about it on wikipedia and still don't think it should be on the list. I get that it's a transition from their surf style but it doesn't seem all that great to me.

got this for hanukah when I was 13. I think my parents got it for me because we were watching SNL together and Meat Loaf was on and I must have enjoyed it. I did like this album a lot, still do, but never got into Meat Loaf other than this album, and Rocky Horror, of course!

Best Elvis album I've heard yet, though I haven't heard that many. Love the Memphis sound and the recording of Gentle on My Mind, written by a friend of my Dad's when he was a kid: John Hartford. I'm sorry that the original release ended on In the Ghetto because Suspicious Minds is my favorite Elvis song--guess that was only added as a bonus track in a later release.

I almost stopped listening on the first song but I hung in there and actually sort of liked Shameika. The rest seems pretty indulgent in that everything feels like a practice run for a live jam session--just not quite as good as it should be. Will say I liked this a lot more than Tidal.

Not bad but not nearly as good as Different Class.

Enjoyed this but don't think I'd listen to it again. Didn't stand out though I was reminded of that awful Rod Stewart song on "Taj Mahal" (If you want my body, and you think I'm sexy...)

What a terrific album! I love the energy and his voice is amazing. June Carter also sounded great, as did whoever was playing the harmonica (Cash?).

Love this album, especially his cover of "How do you mend a broken heart." What a voice! He's got an easy yet emotional style. So good. I owe my little brother for turning me on the Al.

I respect them and their sound but it's just not for me.

I'm not sure why this album is here. It's okay. The title track seems a little like a novelty song. I prefer his album Bush Doctor but I think I may be the only one....

I thought this was fine but not particularly striking.

Listened to this album so many times and from the first waves of piano I feel myself coming alive. Love it--wish I could have heard the whole thing live.

I really liked "My Aim is True" and bought it when it first came out. And then I was done with Elvis Costello. Everything I heard later didn't impress, and I felt guilty that I'd abandoned him. Listening to this album, I stand by my choices. Just not that interesting to me.

jangly rocking album with fuzzy voices--not bad but not really going to stick with me.

Hadn't heard this in years and really enjoyed it. When they're on, they're on. The first three songs more than make up for The Last Resort which hasn't aged well.

perfect morning: up early, sun starting to shine, strong coffee with a small side of herbal refreshment, and dark side of the moon on my headphones. Thank you, Pink Floyd.

enjoyed this a lot though wish the n-word hadn't been dropped as much as it was. Still, liked the mix of voices, attitudes, tempos, etc.

I'm giving this a 5 more for Scotty Moore's guitar than for anything else. I saw him live with DJ Fontana in the 80s as part of a "sun sessions" tour and I love his style.

I started listening to this and then wondered why it was included in the 1001 album list and so looked them up and then realized they have now been removed from the 1001 album list so am glad to check out. "If I say fuck two more times, that's 46 fucks in this fucked-up rhyme." = best line I heard before I stopped listening, unless you count the ones they're ripping from Nine Inch Nails. Sorry, 2 limp 4 me.

I doubt I've listened to side two more than a handful of times though I've listened to side one countless times. Hard for me to rate other than as a 5 because it's been such a part of my life. Amazing song writing and vocals.

I'm not very familiar with Beck, but I enjoyed this album, a sort of mellow cozy album to play on dreary afternoons when you're feeling dreary as well. He's a good songwriter and his voice works with his music. I'm not sure how much of this album will stick with me, but i wouldn't mind hearing it again.

I can't hear this album with fresh ears--I associated it very strongly with a particular time and place and love it though I wonder how well songs like "Pocahontas" have aged. Still, it was great to hear it again this morning!

Loved this album when it first came out and I think it's aged pretty well, some misogyny aside. I love the generational references, e.g. Abe Vigoda (!), the Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves chant, the line about White Castle fries. Unique and accessible--tough combination to achieve.

Super cute! Feels like the male equivalent of what the Go Gos tried to achieve and I am here for it. Love the drums on "Mental Beat."

Wow, this one really lives up to the name. Never heard it before and I admire their commitment. For those who like the Bonzo Dog Band, this one is even "better"!

Enjoyed listening to this--solid sort of dense pop rock. The only song that made me sit back and look to see what the title was "sunshinin" but in general they've got some nice beats.

So far, maybe my favorite Radiohead album (I think I have a few more with this project). I think I like it better than OK Computer, except I think that album was a little more consistent. When this is good, is great (probably the first 8 songs) and then 9 & 10, esp 10--Like Spinning Plates--kind of crash and burn, and the final jazzy flourish doesn't quite redeem the two clunkers before. Still, 3/4 of the album is sublime.

I'd heard a lot of songs from this album and knew this album was supposed to be great, but never listened before. And it is great, esp Long Black Veil and the Weight. Gotta give it a 5 on the strength of those classics alone.

I feel as if this album should be prescribed--at least every 10 years put on headphones, lie down, and listen to this album a little more loudly than you might typically (to 11, duh). Feel your brain be cleansed as incredibly tight, expertly played pure rock swaggers through your skull. Enjoy the vocals for the sound and whatever you do, don't think too much about the lyrics.

This album blew my mind when it first came out--I was in high school and the complexity of the rhythms and the nod to more experimental music like that of Philip Glass and Brian Eno rocked my world, though now, thanks to this project, I realize I missed all the African beat adoption. I've probably listened to this more than any other Talking Heads albums and it might be one of my top 10 albums of all time, though "The Overload" is downer. Still sounds great after nearly 50 years!

It was okay. The only track I really liked turned out to be one of the bonus tracks: "1. David Jay 2. Peter Murphy 3. Kevin Haskins 4. Daniel Ash" This is like the Hot Topics of albums

I don't think I understand the nature of this music to review this though I did enjoy it playing in the background as I worked.

omg this record is so stupid. Detroit Rock City! I'm giving it two stars because it wasn't painful, just not anything much

I have very mixed feelings about this album. I've never really liked it, though Perfect Day is a great song, and Satellite of Love and Andy's Chest have some really brilliant moments too. Still, it feels Reed takes the easy way out with a lot of his songwriting and it's annoying. Perhaps my feelings are affected by the time I got kicked out of this bar when I was underage and wasted and played Walk on the Wild Side 25 times in a row on the jukebox which they ultimately had to unplug. I ended up puking in a snowbank in full view of all the patrons.

beautiful sound and love the different moods. Only in jazz does one find the statement, as I did in wikipedia, something to the tune of "Gonsalves solo saved Ellington's career." Also like the nod to the platinum blonde who got up dancing and instigated everyone off their feet. And it is an amazing amazing solo. Nice to see Ray Nance's name again--I think my parents had an album of his that I may or may not have stolen.

I enjoyed this album though it feels like a pastiche of a bunch of other artists work done not quite as well. I've always liked All the Way to Memphis and it was good to hear more of their work. Music throughout is jingly jangly fun and the mandolin on I Wish I Was Your Mother is beautiful even if the song seems a little too Dylan imitative.

A little turned off by the farting noise in my right ear for the first minute or so but then things got nicely layered before breaking into a discordant mess then lurching into a groove where the bass really shines. It feels as if the instruments are competing against each other rather than working together. Interesting approach. Track B is more appealing--slow, languid with bursts of what sounds like something trying to catch up then coming together into a ferocious race. The rest of the album is a compelling listen--this is not jazz to play in the background while you have a cocktail and chat with your neighbor. This is jazz to play when you want everyone to leave so you can lie down and think about how much you hate them. Also, did someone say God Dammit on the last track?

I see this album is now on the "ex" list having been removed from the later editions of 1001 albums, which makes sense because I looked it up on wikipedia and saw it's a compilation. Regardless, if this is the best of the band, then, well, you go, Hives! Well done if not memorable punk / garage rock. The only song that stood out to me was Die All Right.

I thought it was fine--expected to like it more than I did though due to ages ago someone (I think my little brother) recommending him.

I've never gotten into Stevie Wonder--he never hits the right groove for me, though Superstition comes closest. So this album didn't do it either but didn't suck. Sorry Little Stevie Wonder!

This is the only Pretenders album I've ever listened to and it was all I ever wanted to listen to. Their cover of Stop Your Sobbing is my favorite song on the album, and Private Life isn't bad, but Grace Jones's cover is better. Brass in Pocket is also pretty good but in general I'm not a big fan--just not as good as I want it to be.

First time listening to an album of theirs but I did recognize Killing in the Name. Their blend of screams, yells, and metal-ish sound doesn't work for me, there were a few moments where the music, especially the bass, sounded pretty good.

Eddie Vedder has a great voice and Pearl Jam has a distinctive sound but they don't resonate with me. The only stuff I associate with them that I've listened to a few times is the soundtrack to Into the Wild, which Vedder did and is really nice.

Great tight pop rock--hard to be both lush and tight at the same time--really good. Awful lyrics. Just awful. It doesn't help that I heard "I wanna be adored by you" as "I wanna be your dog." A rare album that would have been better, nearly, as an instrumental.

enjoyed this more than I expected to and was surprised at how his voice, occasionally, resembled Tom Petty's. Nice album to hang out with.

very much enjoyed this--first time listen. Rod Stewart sounds better than he ever has in his solo career. Not a great album, but a fun escape into late 1960s bluesy guitar.

I bought a used copy of this album at a record store in Chicago during my first week of college. I then listened to it obsessively in my dorm room to the point where people asked me to stop. By far my most favorite Stones album, and I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks Prodigal Son and Stray Cat Blues and Factory Girl are among the Stones greatest songs? Don't know; don't care, side two is a masterpiece and you can pry this album out of my cold dead hands.

I enjoyed listening to this more than I expected to--Sir Duke and Pastime Paradise are great songs--and the rest of the music seems to me to be working up to the greatness of those two songs.

The title track and the brassy "Young Lovers" song are the best of an otherwise not too interesting album, unless you really like Van Morrison.

At first I thought this must be the songs for a musical but I looked it up and realized they're just not very good songs. Nice finally know for sure who does the "Our House" (in the middle of the street) song, not the "Our House" (is a very very fine house) song.

I'd never heard this before and was happy that it didn't suck. It's Bowie at his most innocuous.

I enjoyed this well enough playing in the background while I worked. That's not very compelling but it's the truth. Sorry, Ravi.

I enjoyed this alright but felt that a lot of the songs would have been better if different artists were performing--the songs are really good, for the most part, but the production, and the oversinging, just didn't work for me. Stewart sounded great on the Beck's Truth album; I think I prefer him as a singer with the band rather than a solo artist.

Was hoping I'd like this more than I did. Their aesthetic just doesn't work for me. "Jamie's Cryin" and "Little Dreamer" were the only songs that made me listen a bit longer.

What a great album and wonderful to hear it again--the music is fantastic throughout. I wish the lyrics and vocals were up to the greatness of the rest, which is beautiful.

Never heard this before--well done songs with some interesting subjects, sort of punk political bent.

really enjoyed this and recognized a few songs. Smooth stylings though Soul II Soul feels more like an organization than a band

Haven't heard this in years and it's better than I remembered it--some classics on this, including Baba O'Riley, Bargain, Won't Get Fooled Again.

best new-to-me album I've heard in a while. Love love love it--very clever approach and a lot of fun.

Enjoyed the wiry bluesy country rock vibe of this. "Hey Grandma" is a great twist on the "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" theme. Great too to have different lead singers. Still, not sure why this album is on the list.

Loving this album is one of my guilty pleasures. Her voice isn't great, the guitar isn't great, but the whole, somehow, is. Perfectly captures a woman's experience in a particular time and place.

I didn't like them when I first heard them and I don't like em now. They seem a little full of themselves.

I enjoyed this a lot more than Dry, which heard earlier for this project. Still, not sure how much I'd listen to again, though This is Love, We float, and Kamikaze were all pretty nice.

A pleasant surprise from this project is how much I like Black Sabbath. That said, this isn't their best album, though it's pretty good. I wish the recording was a little sharper.

Clever lyrics at times but none of the songs stuck with me for very long.

One of the few albums in this project that I bailed on--but I did make it 3/4 of the way through. I didn't like them then and I don't like them now. So irritating. It's like they exist so you can have the pleasure of turning them off.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to-- a lot of the music was really good though the lyrics seemed inane at times. I feel like this is the kind of album a ten year old boy might think was really awesome.

Embarrassed that I'd never heard this before and really liked it, especially the first 3 songs and, later, Tennessee. Funky hip hop groove!

Got off to a great start but was a little inconsistent. I really enjoyed Zappa's jazzy (dare I say fusion?) approach. The first track, the Peaches one, was my favorite but the sax on the Gumbo track was especially amazing. I wasn't a fan of the last track or of the Little Umbrellas one. Still, I'd be happy to hear this one again.

Enjoyed this album. The first song, The History Song, is distinctive and sounds like the opening song for an edgy detective show a la The Handsome Family in True Detective, though more rock, less folk. The rest is a nice collection of well-done pleasant buzz-type songs.

Grinding guitars on the earlier tracks reminded me of Jay Reatard--this album seems to be a mostly successful punk | rock | glam hybrid with a bit of a downgrade for some truly juvenile lyrics.

Enjoyed "Dark Fantasy" and "Monster." Other tracks not so much--just as douchy as the dude.

I really loved Live Through This but this album not so much. Love's voice is really grating and the songs aren't nearly as interesting.

I never really cared for the sort of dreamy pop of the late 80s / 90s but this is probably the best version of it. Still, It says a lot that there were a few songs where I didn't think they were singing in English but I didn't really care enough to figure it out. Lovely female vocals I associate with this style (think Kate Bush or Sundays or even Human League). I'd play this album as background music if I had a yacht and was inviting a bunch of strangers over for cocktails.

This was a little disappointing. I'd assumed it was on the list for some good reason--not sure what that is right now.

First time listening to this album though I've heard their songs before. Enjoyed the classic rock vibe! Their popular songs are the best but there aren't many clunkers on this album.

sorry Love, didn't love it

Props for their distinctive sound and I do like Radio Free Europe. But songs like Catapult and West of the Fields are annoying and I sort of wish they'd shut up.

I'm not a fan of their moody groove but I respect it. Personal Jesus is pretty good, Clean is not.

Quite nice. Not my favorite of theirs (looking at you "almost cut my hair") but still good

New to this group and album. Gets out of the gate fast with the stellar Rock You, then fades a little with the next two songs and picks up with Thought@Work, building to The Seed, a fabulous blend of styles. Water is interesting--not sure if it works completely--and I'm not a fan of Amiri Baraka so am not thrilled with Something in the Way of Things. I like their vision and scope for their music.

I remember when this came out--I was 8 or so and it was huge. Still, I never listened to the actual album until this morning. Brilliant songwriter when she's at her best. I've heard her big hits performed by stronger singers, so my favorites on this album were the songs I hadn't heard before, e.g. So Far Away, Way Over Yonder. The title song kind of sucks, sorry to say.

Never heard this before, though I grew up groaning over Free Bird. Really enjoyed it--what an incredible first album. Tuesday's Gone is new favorite song, and it was nice to hear Simple Man again.

I get it: they're good at what they do and it's very well produced. I practically slid all the way to the end, it's so slick. But does anyone under the age of 63 actually like Dire Straits? Note: I'm technically a Boomer myself so I get say shit like this. I'm giving them 4 stars because I can't ignore their strengths but still.

It's not my thing--and it sounds as if it may have inspired a number of 80s soundtracks.

Strange Brew and Sunshine of Your Love earn the 5--rest of the album's pretty good too!

no idea why this album is on this list

I was really looking forward to this having heard so many good things about it so perhaps my expectations were too high, but I wasn't blown away. Sorry, Lauryn.

I love this album and only today did I realize that an childhood friend of my late dad's plays fiddle on I am a Pilgrim and the beautiful "Hickory Wind." I owe a big debt to my baby brother for introducing me to Gram Parsons!

Wow, and, no. WTF is going on with those lyrics? I must admit I really enjoyed the guitar on the loser in the end.

Really enjoyed this, especially the title song, My First Lover, and the last song--I dream a highway. Sometimes Welch's voice doesn't live up to her goals for it but it really works on those songs. Nice album I'll listen to again.

enjoyed it in the original (shorter) issue but didn't stand out to me as one of the greatest live recordings of all time. So far, I think the best live recordings I've heard have been some Stax soul recordings and the Fela Kuti with Ginger Baker live that's on this list.

First time I ever listened to this album--impressive debut. Not all the songs will stick with me but to have three huge hits from one debut is exceptional. Their style and sound isn't one of my favorites but they're really good at what they do.

Wow, it was great to hear this again! It has been decades! I remember loving the 50s vibe of this album and thinking it made sense because Debbie Harry was born in 1945 so she grew up with that sound and then made it her own with Blondie. Pure pop with attitude and almost every track is a winner--I've always loved Fade Away and Radiate in particular. Thank you Blondie!

I went to hear Suzanne Vega live with a girlfriend to be nice and supportive and I'm still traumatized. I was okay with Tom's Diner and even bought that album at the concert and I did enjoy hearing Luka in the Paris subway when I want to Paris for this first time on my first grownup vacation, but it's not worth it. I tried with Cracking and then started to write this review and bail and now she's on Marlene on the Wall and I remember at the concert everyone really like this song. And now I'll do what I wanted to do then. Stop listening. I'm giving it a 2 in deference to the musicians and the recording quality itself.

This didn't impress, though I do like Deep Purple's earlier stuff. Sure, the guitar work is great but the lyrics seemed stupid and I didn't get much of a sense of rhythm.

Something about Beck's layered fuzzy sound nauseates me. I'm sure he's really good if he doesn't make you want to throw up. Soy un perdidor.

Not my tempo but they do stay in their lane admirably.

listening to this album was a bright spot the day after the US election. it was released in 1975 when some horrible shit was going down yet Pfunk brightened everyone's day. I want the funk! Give me the funk!

Solid album; not really my taste but I appreciate the throwback to the 80s

When I first encountered this album, in high school, I was dismissive of it and now I have no idea why. At the time I liked the "hard rain's a-gonna fall" Dylan, but this album has so many great songs, esp Tangled up in blue which has to be on a GOAT list. I'll be listening to this album over and over--a classic like Joni Mitchell's Blue.

OMG! Amazeballs! Almost as good as Fiona Apple! Love love love! Perfect for singalongs and sleepovers! fuck you PJ Harvey reclaiming my time

There's a certain type of 80s music that I've blended into one big swirl d/b/a as Joy Division / New Order / Depeche Mode / Cure / maybe Duran Duran? Pet Shop Boys? Don't know, basically kind of lumped them altogether with the Cure being the only standout and Disintegration being the only album I actually listened to. So when this album started, I really liked the Cure elements in Love Vigilantes (or is it New Order elements in Fascination Street?) and then stopped distinguishing and began enjoying the music. Unfortunately, it all crashed with the next song, Perfect Kiss, which is a big yawn and feels like it could be in a movie starring Hugh Grant. Sunrise which has a sort of attractive desperation, and Elegia is a nice mellow soar. After that, the remaining songs bounced by by innocuously enough.

Sentimental and sad, even his crudest lyrics seem like a cry for help. Especially liked Machine Gun Funk, which feels a little more musical than some of the tracks which are like spoken word performance. A good writer who could have become a great one.

The first two songs sounded a little punk but then with Alright, I got a more retro pop vibe. Not a fan of the fuzzy tone to the recording. This album feels like a bridge between punk, pop, rock, new wave, and none of it quite works. The chorus in "Strange Ones" sounds like the theme song to a bad British cartoon, and there's a juvenile quality throughout.

I enjoyed this--sucker for 60s rock--though it's not the best of breed by any means. Over Under Sideways Down was especially good.

not my thing, though Gimme All Your Lovin isn't bad. "Legs" survives despite ridiculous lyrics. I've heard a lot worse.

I don't like this album as much as I think I'm supposed to; I've often heard it compared to Sgt Peppers or other Beatles concept albums but it falls short for me because Brian Wilson doesn't have the chops--maybe he does musically--but lyrically he's got an incredibly limited range. "Wouldn't it be nice" is great in a classic Beach Boys way but when he steps away from his surfing wheelhouse you get vapid platitudes e.g. "I wasn't made for these times" and "I know there's an answer," which, tbh, are nearly Shagg-like in their inanity.

This didn't feel like an album to me as much as the recording of an experience, and while Waits writes some great lines, musically it didn't do a lot for me. The musicians sounded superb; I just didn't get a lot of melody or much sustained playing.

Never heard this album and have only barely heard of this band--for some reason I associated them with that song "Afternoon Delight" which I now realize was completely wrong. The Wall Street Shuffle is deliciously dated, and I think that's how I'd describe this entire album. Now I'm on Baron Samedi and wtf is this? Ditto with Effendi. Got to love the smooth guitar stylings and the drums throughout are suave. This album illustrates the thin line between awful and awesome. Great album to put on during a drive to blow a friend's mind.

Really enjoyed this, one of the best rap albums I've heard in a long time. Not quite 5-star worthy but definitely one I'll be listening to again.

I'd never heard this album before though I've heard some Clapton and saw him live once. Still, wouldn't say I'm a big Clapton fan, but when this album started with "Motherless Children" I got pretty psyched--what a great tune. Sadly, the rest of the album didn't quite live up to the somehow laid-back yet extremely tight blues rock of the first track, though it wasn't awful.

Is it just me or is she sounding a little tuneless on the first song? And WTF is happening on Parade? Why? And why is this album on this list? It seems pretty mediocre.

I love the garage intellectual blend that happened in the mid to late 70s, where you've got Pere Ubu chanting "merdre" from Ubu Roi and Patti Smith singing "go Rimbaud" instead of "go Johnny go" Pretentious? Don't know, don't care, I'm a sucker for it, even if I do think "Sentimental Journey" might have gone on a little long.

not a fan of their fuzzy sound and wish the vocals were highlighted a little more in the recording. Jealous Again sounds like a bad version of the Stones' Tumbling Dice. Sister Luck is pretty nice or could be in a different recording. Hard to Handle is awful--not sure anyone can pull off an Otis cover. After that, I kind of tuned them out.

TIL that Emmylou Harris is not a good songwriter.

Lovely album though Jones ties her voice down to such a limited range it's a little frustrating. Really liked "Feeling the same way..." and "Turn me on" as well as the title track.

Enjoyed this world beat kind of thing though am not sure I'll listen to it again.

I'm not sure when, if ever, I last listened to this whole album, so this was a treat. Gimme Shelter is one of my favorite Stones songs, and it was awesome to hear Keith's vocals on You Got the Silver. I love the recording too--very lowkey at times (Country Honk?!--title?!).

I can't think of many bands whose debut album made such an impact, with great songs and a truly fresh sound. Definitely the Beatles, Nirvana, and the Doors. The Doors aren't my favorite band or even close to my favorite band, but I've always loved Crystal Ship and did have my mind blown when in high school, I went to a performance of the Weill/Brecht opera Mahagonny with my Aunt Royanne and suddenly heard a guy sing the Alabama song, which I had no idea was a cover.

Hadn't heard this before. Interesting songs, well-done though not quite as melodic as I like my rock. I listened to it over two days and feel I need to listen to it again to really get my head around it.

Every time we get a Steely Dan album, I think I don't know any Steely Dan songs and then when I listen, I realize I know many Steely Dan songs.... They're so laid-back in their delivery, they've slipped into my subconscious and their mellow voices hide some incredibly awesome and vicious lyrics. Not to mention the delicious guitar and punchy drums. Hard to believe this is a debut album. Quick takes on my favorite of the new-to-me songs: Kings seems to literally be about kings, and I dig that. Midnite Cruiser seals the deal: no one writes more eloquently about losers than Steely Dan. Only a Fool Would Say That: so nice I listened twice, also not sure I really get it. But even now, writing this, I want to listen to it again. I almost want to downgrade it due to how overplayed "Reelin in the Years" is, but that's not their fault. "Do It Again" and "Dirty Work" were also very familiar, but I actually like those songs.

WTF. Was this recorded at the right speed? It's like a dirge to doo-wop. This is Dion of Dion and the Belmonts, right? The guy in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Great album which I'm embarrassed to say was new to me, though I'd heard of this band before. Comfortably Numb was esp terrific--the first 6 songs are all especially good. Didn't like the sort of fuzzy quality to the recording--I switched headphones to make sure it wasn't me--but this is great pop.

I've heard kd lang sing some amazing songs however none of them were on this album.

enjoyed but didn't blow me away--musicality seemed to take a back seat to a lot of dialogue.

no no no no I listened to the whole thing and I just don't care. I want my hour back.

meh. I like my trance / ambient / electronica a little more space and a little less anxious (see tracks 7 & 8 esp).

The best tracks are recorded elsewhere with better arrangements, especially my favorite "Cloudy." Still incredible songwriting and what an amazing reflection of the times. It's like they took every signpost of the age and wrote a song about it. Look at the track list--it looks like a soundtrack for a musical titled "1968" (note: album came out in 1966 but as with all great artists, they were a little ahead of the times).

Solid pop!

Innocuous ambient music to work by. Not sure why it's on this list but nothing awful. The title and the performer name are a little misleading for this work--I was expecting something a little more hiphop-y and dystopian. Instead it was like "music for cleaning out your email."

Hard for me to rate this objectively; it's been such a part of my life since I first got the album when I was 11 or 12. Loved it then, love it now, though I was a little confused listening to this on Amazon Music because I didn't recall Nowhere Man being on my version, so heads up--the North American version is considerably shorter. It's incredible how the Beatles sound developed over such a short time--they always sound interesting and a little different, even their pop, but this is so much richer musically and with a lot more variation. To me, this album is like a work by Shakespeare: somehow of the times and yet completely genius.

I started this project on my own and got this as my 3rd album. Fela Kuta was completely new to me. My mind was blown, especially with Ye Ye De Smell, which for a while I listened to on the daily. When I created a group, I knew I'd be receiving albums I'd already rated, nbd. So now this is album 333 for me and this album and Pulp's Different Class are the two biggest wins for me with this project, making listening to way too much PJ Harvey, Bjork, and Fiona "fuck you" Apple (and yet only ONE Patti Smith album! WTF!) worth it.

Listening to this, I felt like I was at a local music festival and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the local music. After listening, I immediately listened to Mountain Man's "Boat" to hear something similar but much better. Not sure why this album's on this list.

Well-done folksy rock with a traditional Irish or Scottish tone at times, as well as a bit of Dylan and the Band, and there are moments of Dire Straits early on though the album creeps toward traditional folk towards the end. I like the way the album winds through its songs and would listen again.

Not a big Springsteen fan, but I remember when this came out. I checked it out from the library and listened on repeat--especially the first side. Thunder Road is genius even if it does have that awful line "you ain't a beauty but hey you're alright." You gotta give it to anyone who inspires a cocktail, in this case Screen Door Slam, a bourbon-based aperol concoction.

I really like "Lose Yourself" and hadn't heard an Eminem album so was excited to give this a listen. What a disappointment. His best moments are overshadowed by his increasingly stupid lyrics. I get it, he likes the Drugs and he likes Girls and he likes the Guns and whatever. Go sell asshole somewhere else; all stocked up here.

I enjoyed this but I really enjoy live recordings of Otis more.

There's a really good album buried in here somewhere, as well as a really bad album. Best tracks are Hey Ya and Favorite Things.

Enjoyed this more than I expected to, but I'm still not a huge Stevie Wonder fan.

Stopped listening halfway through, during Daydreamin. At first I mused about the difference between "spoken word" and "rap music" and then I just got tired of feeling like I was being preached at--maybe this is due to the monotony of his tone across tracks.

Damn I needed this this morning. Not really sure why I like this so much--maybe it's the desperate urgency in the vocals coupled with incredibly sharp, confident music. . The music is sharp even when it's fuzzy, distorted, scratchy. Only exception to the strength is Thriller which should have been jettisoned.

I came to this album a few years later than most and then played it nonstop in my car for a year or so... Masterful blend of voices, songs, and sounds.

A band people seem to love to hate.... but I do like the fresh sound of Politik and I imagine there are some other songs of theirs that are pretty good. Still, nothing that interests me too much here, but could be worse.

Beautiful, classic, perfect Sunday afternoon cozy music. Also, I once heard someone misquote Exodus as "Taxibus! / Movement of the people!"

Really enjoyed this mellow punk pop garage sort of sound. The album tripped along and I think I'll give it another listen.

not a fan. Some of the songs were fine but nearly all of them went on a bit too long.

Holy F S--mind blown. I'm only two songs in and I'm completely in love with what I've heard so far. Awesomely dated and also just awesome. TIL the power of album covers--I'd always hated that cover and never listened. The only inferior track is Wars of Armageddon, but my favorites are Maggot Brain and Super Stupid.

Enjoyed this more than I expected to. Like Sabrina Carpenter, the Circle Jerks are short 'n sweet!

Not my cup of tea but "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a great classic rock song. It's probably the type specimen for classic rock in that I can't think of another song that best defines that genre. I'd like to give them a 4 or a 5 on the strength of that song alone, but the rest just isn't up to it.

Felt like an inside joke, as if you went to a show and there'd be these hardcore fans nodding sagely to the erudite wit and social commentary while you order a double and wish you were just a little bit higher.

Getting this on Dec. 26 made me feel like I got Rickrolled, except this was real and for some reason this album is actually in the 1001 albums book, which seems completely bizarre--why is a compliation here? WTF? Also, the title really hasn't aged well... sounds like a threat.

Not to my taste, though he has a nice voice. I don't get a sense of melody or rhythm in his songs, though his cover of Hallelujah is great.

Robbie Robertson is an effing great songwriter, and The Band will always have a sentimental hold on my heart, created when I was a kid and my parents would play "The Weight" and we'd snicker at "Take a load off, Fanny." Though that track isn't on this album, no worries because you've got Cripple Creek, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Rag Mama Rag, and an old favorite "Across the Great Divide" (got my name in that song!). Play side A on repeat and pretty much ignore side B, imho.

ambient music to work by.